Mesenchymal stem cell therapy associated with mobility improvements in frailty; systematic review of three small trials
This systematic review identified three randomized controlled trials (total ~208 older adults with aging frailty) examining intravenous mesenchymal stem cell therapy. MSC administration was well-tolerated with no serious adverse events reported. Studies showed variable improvements in functional measures: one trial reported dose-dependent increases in 6-minute walk distance at nine months; others reported improvements in SPPB, Timed Up and Go, and grip strength. Quality of life improved and pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations decreased, though effect sizes and confidence intervals were not consistently provided.
What this changes
The finding has not established an approved change to our evidence assessment.
Source date: Aug 25, 2026 · Discovered: Sep 15, 2026 · Assessed: — · Research update
What it does not prove
- Limitations have not yet been verified. Read the primary source.
Extracted from supplied source material; model confidence is not a measured probability of correctness.
Study details
- Design
- Systematic review
- Sample size
- 208
- Duration
- —
- Population
- Older adults with aging frailty
- Primary outcome
- Safety and efficacy of MSC administration in aging frailty
- Effect size
- Dose-dependent increase in 6 min walk distance at nine months in one trial; improvements in SPPB, TUG, and grip strength reported in other studies; reduction in circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines; dose-dependent reduction in circulating sTIE2
- Significance
- Mixed
- Journal
- International journal of molecular sciences
- Published
- Aug 25, 2026
Funding: Not reported in abstract
Conflicts: No conflicts of interest reported in abstract
Sources
Primary source
- International journal of molecular sciences ↗Peer reviewed
Assessment history
9/23/2026 · SUPERSEDED: Source updated; assessment withdrawn pending review.
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